SPIEGEL ONLINE - International - Germany Votes 2013http://www.spiegel.de
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http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gifPunishing the Young: German Pension Reforms a Gift for the Elderlyhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grand-coalition-pension-reform-will-create-inequality-a-933310.html#ref=rss
Berlin's incoming government is expected to institute a wave of pension reform that could exacerbate inequality, burden workers and create huge budget headaches. So why are the parties so intent on pushing it through?Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:43:00 +0100http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grand-coalition-pension-reform-will-create-inequality-a-933310.htmlBerlin's incoming government is expected to institute a wave of pension reform that could exacerbate inequality, burden workers and create huge budget headaches. So why are the parties so intent on pushing it through?]]>Tepid Talks: A Coalition Devoid of Vision http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-talks-show-no-sign-of-yielding-major-policies-a-933162.html#ref=rss
The coalition taking shape in Berlin between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats will have a huge majority in parliament. But the halfhearted discussion that's gone on so far suggests that the government won't tackle big projects -- and Merkel is to blame.Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:28:00 +0100http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-talks-show-no-sign-of-yielding-major-policies-a-933162.htmlThe coalition taking shape in Berlin between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats will have a huge majority in parliament. But the halfhearted discussion that's gone on so far suggests that the government won't tackle big projects -- and Merkel is to blame.]]>Coalition Talks: Parties Take On Rent Hikes and Dual Citizenshiphttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-and-spd-agree-to-rent-controls-in-german-coalition-talks-a-931900.html#ref=rss
Coalition negotiations between German Chancellor Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats are beginning to yield results. The parties agreed Monday night to plan for capping rent hikes, with dual citizenship and a tougher prostitution law on the agenda for this week.Tue, 05 Nov 2013 16:39:12 +0100http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-and-spd-agree-to-rent-controls-in-german-coalition-talks-a-931900.htmlCoalition negotiations between German Chancellor Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats are beginning to yield results. The parties agreed Monday night to plan for capping rent hikes, with dual citizenship and a tougher prostitution law on the agenda for this week.]]>Pushover Party: Social Democrats Must Not Give Up on Europehttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/commentary-social-democrats-should-fight-to-control-finance-ministry-a-930796.html#ref=rss
In coalition negotiations, the center-left Social Democrats appear to have backed off on their demands to control the Finance Ministry. Relinquishing the post would mean letting Angela Merkel trample over them -- and abandoning their push to move Germany's Europe policy to the left.Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:31:00 +0100http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/commentary-social-democrats-should-fight-to-control-finance-ministry-a-930796.htmlIn coalition negotiations, the center-left Social Democrats appear to have backed off on their demands to control the Finance Ministry. Relinquishing the post would mean letting Angela Merkel trample over them -- and abandoning their push to move Germany's Europe policy to the left.]]>Coalition Talks: SPD May Drop Demand for Finance Ministryhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-may-drop-demand-for-finance-ministry-in-coalition-talks-a-930474.html#ref=rss
Clinching the powerful post of finance minister in coalition talks would be a major coup for the center-left Social Democrats. But they may drop the demand in return for policy concessions -- and due to tactical considerations by SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel. Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:13:00 +0100http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-may-drop-demand-for-finance-ministry-in-coalition-talks-a-930474.htmlClinching the powerful post of finance minister in coalition talks would be a major coup for the center-left Social Democrats. But they may drop the demand in return for policy concessions -- and due to tactical considerations by SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel. ]]>Preparing to Govern: Formal Coalition Talks Kick Off in Berlinhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-and-spd-begin-official-german-coalition-talks-in-berlin-a-929509.html#ref=rss
Official coalition talks began Wednesday in Berlin between Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democratic Party. Central topics include energy policy and the minimum wage -- as well as Germany's hotly debated European policy.Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:24:36 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-and-spd-begin-official-german-coalition-talks-in-berlin-a-929509.htmlOfficial coalition talks began Wednesday in Berlin between Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democratic Party. Central topics include energy policy and the minimum wage -- as well as Germany's hotly debated European policy.]]>'Non-Negotiable' Demands: Social Democrats OK Coalition Talkshttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-conference-approves-start-of-coalition-talks-with-merkel-a-928992.html#ref=rss
Formal talks on a grand coalition between Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democratic Party are due to start Wednesday after an SPD conference on Sunday gave its blessing. But the talks could prove difficult, and the outcome will be put to an SPD membership ballot. Mon, 21 Oct 2013 12:43:33 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spd-conference-approves-start-of-coalition-talks-with-merkel-a-928992.htmlFormal talks on a grand coalition between Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democratic Party are due to start Wednesday after an SPD conference on Sunday gave its blessing. But the talks could prove difficult, and the outcome will be put to an SPD membership ballot. ]]>Coalition Face-Off: Tough Negotiations Lie Aheadhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-and-spd-politicians-face-tough-coalition-talks-ahead-a-928583.html#ref=rss
Chancellor Merkel's conservatives and their rivals, the center-left Social Democrats, are likely to begin official government coalition talks next week. It's a positive development, but things could get hairy once they start arguing over their key issues. Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-and-spd-politicians-face-tough-coalition-talks-ahead-a-928583.htmlChancellor Merkel's conservatives and their rivals, the center-left Social Democrats, are likely to begin official government coalition talks next week. It's a positive development, but things could get hairy once they start arguing over their key issues. ]]>Moving Ahead: Party Leaders Agree to Start Coalition Talks http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-and-spd-party-leaders-agree-to-start-coalition-talks-in-germany-a-928505.html#ref=rss
Coalition talks can now officially begin as soon as next Wednesday after Chancellor Merkel's conservatives and their rival Social Democrats agreed on Thursday to move forward on building a governing coalition together.Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:25:00 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-and-spd-party-leaders-agree-to-start-coalition-talks-in-germany-a-928505.htmlCoalition talks can now officially begin as soon as next Wednesday after Chancellor Merkel's conservatives and their rival Social Democrats agreed on Thursday to move forward on building a governing coalition together.]]>Coalition Talks: Greens Reject Alliance with Conservativeshttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/greens-end-coalition-talks-with-merkel-conservatives-a-928153.html#ref=rss
After a long night of talks on Tuesday night, Germany's Greens have ruled out forming a governing coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives. Now her only option is to allign herself with the center-left Social Democrats. Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:43:03 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/greens-end-coalition-talks-with-merkel-conservatives-a-928153.htmlAfter a long night of talks on Tuesday night, Germany's Greens have ruled out forming a governing coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives. Now her only option is to allign herself with the center-left Social Democrats. ]]>Hard Bargaining: German Coalition Talks Yield No Progress http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-talks-failed-to-yield-progress-monday-night-a-927866.html#ref=rss
Coalition talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats got bogged down Monday night after an eight-hour meeting failed to produce results. Merkel meets the Greens for talks on Tuesday. Tue, 15 Oct 2013 13:14:00 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-coalition-talks-failed-to-yield-progress-monday-night-a-927866.htmlCoalition talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democrats got bogged down Monday night after an eight-hour meeting failed to produce results. Merkel meets the Greens for talks on Tuesday. ]]>Round Two of Talks: Grand Coalition Looks Increasingly Likelyhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grand-coalition-increasingly-likely-in-round-two-of-merkel-talks-a-927760.html#ref=rss
Angela Merkel's conservatives are holding their second round of preliminary coalition talks with the Social Democrats Monday and there's speculation that the parties could reach a deal sooner than expected. A government could be formed by mid-November. Mon, 14 Oct 2013 16:28:41 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/grand-coalition-increasingly-likely-in-round-two-of-merkel-talks-a-927760.htmlAngela Merkel's conservatives are holding their second round of preliminary coalition talks with the Social Democrats Monday and there's speculation that the parties could reach a deal sooner than expected. A government could be formed by mid-November. ]]>In a Hurry: Merkel Wants Coalition Partner in Two Weekshttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-wants-to-find-coalition-partner-in-two-weeks-a-926931.html#ref=rss
By the time the new parliament holds its first meeting on Oct. 22, Chancellor Merkel wants to know which opposition party she'll be governing with. But it could take much longer to complete the actual coalition talks.Wed, 09 Oct 2013 13:32:54 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-wants-to-find-coalition-partner-in-two-weeks-a-926931.htmlBy the time the new parliament holds its first meeting on Oct. 22, Chancellor Merkel wants to know which opposition party she'll be governing with. But it could take much longer to complete the actual coalition talks.]]>End of the Ride: Free Democrats Clear Out Officeshttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-party-cleans-out-offices-after-getting-voted-out-of-parliament-a-925747.html#ref=rss
Voted out of parliament in September, Germany's business-friendly Free Democratic Party is in the grips of an existential crisis. It has laid off 500 employees and faces an extremely uncertain future. Fri, 04 Oct 2013 17:02:00 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-party-cleans-out-offices-after-getting-voted-out-of-parliament-a-925747.htmlVoted out of parliament in September, Germany's business-friendly Free Democratic Party is in the grips of an existential crisis. It has laid off 500 employees and faces an extremely uncertain future. ]]>Democratic Deficit: Is Germany's Parliamentary Hurdle Obsolete?http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/experts-5-percent-parliamentary-hurdle-in-germany-should-be-lowered-a-925817.html#ref=rss
Last month's election saw nearly 7 million Germans voting for parties that ultimately fell short of the 5 percent hurdle required to win seats in parliament. Political scientists are arguing for the threshold to be lowered or eliminated to ensure democratic legitimacy.Fri, 04 Oct 2013 16:05:21 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/experts-5-percent-parliamentary-hurdle-in-germany-should-be-lowered-a-925817.htmlLast month's election saw nearly 7 million Germans voting for parties that ultimately fell short of the 5 percent hurdle required to win seats in parliament. Political scientists are arguing for the threshold to be lowered or eliminated to ensure democratic legitimacy.]]>Hulk Ilgen: Professional Wrestler Enters Parliamenthttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/professional-wrestler-ilgen-set-to-take-seat-in-the-bundestag-a-925360.html#ref=rss
The election campaign run by Germany's Social Democrats was roundly dismissed as dull, but some of the party's newest members of parliament are anything but. One of them is Matthias Ilgen, the first professional wrestler to enter the Bundestag. Wed, 02 Oct 2013 16:00:00 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/professional-wrestler-ilgen-set-to-take-seat-in-the-bundestag-a-925360.htmlCoalition Talks: Merkel to Meet Greens Next Week http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-to-hold-exploratory-coalition-talks-with-greens-a-925616.html#ref=rss
Chancellor Merkel, who is trying to form a government after falling just five seats short of a majority in the Sept. 22 election, will hold preliminary talks with the opposition Greens next week. A coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) looks far more likely though. Tue, 01 Oct 2013 18:06:18 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-to-hold-exploratory-coalition-talks-with-greens-a-925616.htmlChancellor Merkel, who is trying to form a government after falling just five seats short of a majority in the Sept. 22 election, will hold preliminary talks with the opposition Greens next week. A coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) looks far more likely though. ]]>World From Berlin: Coalition Talks Could Last Into Januaryhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-review-and-news-roundup-on-german-coalition-talks-a-925327.html#ref=rss
It's quickly becoming clear how hard it's going to be for Angela Merkel to form a new government. The SPD wants the Finance Ministry and will ballot its members on any deal. In the end, though, they're likely to reach an agreement, say media commentators.Mon, 30 Sep 2013 15:44:00 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/press-review-and-news-roundup-on-german-coalition-talks-a-925327.htmlIt's quickly becoming clear how hard it's going to be for Angela Merkel to form a new government. The SPD wants the Finance Ministry and will ballot its members on any deal. In the end, though, they're likely to reach an agreement, say media commentators.]]>Coalition Purgatory: Will Merkel's Party Buckle on Tax Hikes?http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-campaign-promises-over-tax-increases-in-doubt-a-924729.html#ref=rss
Chancellor Merkel's conservatives unequivocally rejected tax increases in the recent election campaign. But now that they need to find a coalition partner among left-leaning parties, their tone seems to be changing.Thu, 26 Sep 2013 19:16:44 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cdu-campaign-promises-over-tax-increases-in-doubt-a-924729.htmlChancellor Merkel's conservatives unequivocally rejected tax increases in the recent election campaign. But now that they need to find a coalition partner among left-leaning parties, their tone seems to be changing.]]>Political Diversity: German Parliament Sees Ethnic Mobilization http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-politics-sees-growing-ethnic-mobilization-a-924164.html#ref=rss
Parliamentarians with foreign roots were considered exotic in Germany for a long time, but that has changed. Candidates with Turkish heritage now represent a new force in the country's political landscape.Wed, 25 Sep 2013 16:26:51 +0200http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-politics-sees-growing-ethnic-mobilization-a-924164.htmlParliamentarians with foreign roots were considered exotic in Germany for a long time, but that has changed. Candidates with Turkish heritage now represent a new force in the country's political landscape.]]>